Not all of the issues facing Black people and communities are related to money or lack of investment.  

But many of them are. 

The intentional divestment of Black communities is directly responsible for some of the more profound issues plaguing inner city communities.  Indirectly, the multi-generational effects of sustained underinvestment and community wide deficits has impacted nearly every aspect of life in many Black communities.  The breadth and depth of these issues can’t be solved by more resources alone.   

But it is abundantly clear that the problems caused by lack of investment in Black communities must be dealt with, in part at least, by restorative investment in Black people and Black communities.

That’s the root problem I want to spend my time and energy trying to solve through my work with my team at Own Our Own. 

Own Our Own is going to raise capital and invest it directly into communities that have suffered from the lack of investment.  And we’re going to do it shoulder to shoulder with the community,  and win collectively. 

I was able to visualize it and map out the blueprint with Nip Hussle tha Great.  And now it’s time to execute and build. 

Our initial fund focused on California will acquire and develop real estate, invest in local start-ups and provide support to entrepreneurs and small business owners.  We see the untapped value that’s always been there.  And we see it clearly, because that value is in us.

We won't be extractive, focusing solely on profits.  And we won’t condescend by pretending that investments in our communities don’t need to be profitable.  

We’ll make investments that make money for our investors, and that help create and spread opportunity throughout our neighborhoods. One of the most important aspects of this, is how we’re doing it and who we’re doing it with.  We’re doing this collectively.  We’re filling gaps for each other, and for our communities.

This isn’t a Black-only fund, but it is Black-led and my dream is that Black people can lead by action and investment in revitalizing and creating the futures we want for ourselves and our children.  And I welcome the partnership of anyone who embraces the vision of self-led and self-sustaining pathways to success in Black communities.

This is the start of something really big.

A new journey begins.  And The Marathon Continues.  

David Gross, Founder and CEO